How to Decide Whether to Breastfeed

A new baby comes with so many decisions. Among the most important of those decisions is how you’ll feed your baby. It’s generally accepted that breastfeeding gives babies the best start in life, but that doesn’t mean that it’s right for everyone. Weigh the pros and cons of your particular situation so you can make the right decision for your family.

Difficulty: Moderate

Instructions

1. Examine your level of commitment. Breastfeeding is natural, but it often takes both mom and baby up to a month to get into a routine that works well. In the meantime, it can be frustrating and painful. Prepare yourself for the possibility that it won’t go smoothly right away.

2. Reflect on your job situation. There are laws in place that force employers to make concessions to breastfeeding mothers, but in real life, it often doesn’t work out very well. If you have a private office and plenty of time to pump at work, you might be able to make it work well. But if you’ll have to pump in a public bathroom several times a day or fear that, legalities aside, it may hurt your career to take the time to pump, it’s going to be difficult to stay committed to breastfeeding.

3. Talk to your partner. A breastfeeding mother’s success—and longevity—is largely dependent on her partner. If he supports her choice, there’s a greater chance that she’ll nurse for a longer period. If he’s against breastfeeding, her chances of sticking with it are greatly diminished.

4. Determine your squeamishness quotient. Some women don’t mind nursing in public, but for others, the thought of it is enough to send them to the formula aisle. There are ways around it, of course, including feeding an expressed bottle of milk. But keep in mind that when you’re nursing, you can’t turn it off. Either you feed your baby when it’s time for a meal, or you have to pump the milk—no matter where you are.

Tips & Warnings

• If you haven’t come to any solid decision by the time your baby is born, try breastfeeding for a while. You can always choose to formula feed later, but you can’t decide to breastfeed later.
• If your spouse is worried that breastfeeding means he won’t get to feed the baby, let him know that you’ll be happy to express milk that he can feed with a bottle.
• There have been so many improvements in nursing wear. It’s easier than ever to discretely nurse in public, leaving one less worry for mom.
• Know when to say when. Yes, breastfeeding is the gold standard in nutrition for babies, but if you’re miserable, you’re not doing your child any favors. Formula feeding is a perfectly fine alternative, especially if it makes mom happier.
• There are nearly as many restrictions on breastfeeding mothers as on pregnant women when it comes to intake of food and alcohol. Think about whether you can live with these restrictions while nursing.

[oneloved]

on 9/19/2008 "Squeamishness quotient" shouldn't have anything to do with an important medical decision regarding your baby's long-term health and well-being! Get the FACTS, and make an EDUCATED decision!
http://www.askdrsears.com/html/2/T021600.asp

[joyful327]

on 4/15/2008 Excellent article :)